The Idle 'Prentice betrayed (by his Wh*re), and taken in a Night-Cellar with his Accomplice

The portrait of the idle ‘prentice who was betrayed by his wh*re and taken in a night cellar with his accomplice was based in a cellar known as Blood-bowl house.

The cellar was used by notorious thieves who were widely recognized as black boys and not forgetting the prostitutes. The idle ‘prentice known as Thomas Idle was one of the thieves. In the portrait, one can see them examining the possession they acquired through a heinous act of murder and robbery with his accomplice. Behind them, his wh*re is in alliance with the constable betraying him. William Hogarth, a prominent painter, and printmaker took upon himself to come up with the portrait to show off his creativity in industry and idleness.

The well-known 18th-century British painter used etching and engraving technique on the portrait. The picture was created on paper material. Hogarth was able to show the path to the immorality of the idle ‘prentice to a total of disgrace. On the bottom of the portrait, he inserted a text from the bible in the book of Proverbs 6 verse 26 to indicate adultery and infamy.

What is more, he was able to highlight the indifference of humankind in the face of danger. Using his engraving technique, Hogarth highlighted the prostitute receiving a reward from the constable. Beside them, there are two men who are fighting, and they appear to be secondary images. The combination of the images portrays the daily activities that occur in a cellar full of drunkards’ thieves and prostitutes.

William Hogarth was able to complete the captivating portrait in 1747. It is one of the amazing series of portraits of industry and idleness of the idle ‘prentice. The famous painter was highly influenced by French and Italian painters such as George virtue and Michael Dahl to mention just a few. Many artists of the 18th, 19th, and 20th century have followed in his footsteps to imitate his portraits. The likes of Ninette de Valois and W. H. Auden artists were highly inspired by him. The portrait is stored safely in the hands of a British museum.